Moonspell – ‘Alpha Noir/Omega White’ CD

Moonspell has never been known as a traditional metal band. Undoubtedly, they have almost always maintained a metal element in their sound, but it has never been the sole influence.

Over twenty years and multiple albums, they have dabbled with world music, rock, goth, electronics, industrial, and more while integrating a varying level of metal. However, even over the past few albums, as they have slowly moved towards a streamlined black metal sound, it has only seemed “streamlined” concerning their previous works. That is why ‘Alpha Noir’ is such a surprise.

With the release of ‘Alpha Noir,’ Moonspell have stripped its sound down to its core elements. The deep goth vocals that have almost always been a significant facet of the band’s sound comprise no more than thirty seconds of the entire album, and the keyboards have been relegated to a very subtle support role. This is in addition to a noticeable absence of female vocals, electronics and industrial elements. We are left with an album that derives its power almost entirely from thrashy, blackened riffs and visceral growls, and it works very well.

In all actuality, ‘Alpha Noir’ will probably be more challenging for longtime fans to accept than the casual listener because, to the former, the album will feel like it is “missing” something. At the same time, the latter will take it for what it is: a solid collection of no-frills metal that pulls from the darker realms of the genre.